how does a gun react to different projectile weights?

[Fixmy59bug]

Man, there is a whole lot of stupid in some of the posts above! You people don't even know what type of firearm the OP is talking about.

OP,

In the front of every reloading manual there is a large section on internal and external ballistics and terminal performance. Try the Hornady reloading manual it has excellent information in it.

Read this before you touch any of your reloading equipment. After you get done reading it, read it again.

Are you reloading for a rifle or pistol?
What is the intended use for the gun?
What distances will you be shooting at?


Recoil is generated by the mass of projectile exiting the bore and it's velocity, the mass of the projectile includes the weight of the bullet and the amount of the burning gases and unburnt powder exiting the bore.

Felt recoil is the combination of the above recoil plus how the weight of the gun being shot, how the gun fits you and your shooting technique.



As far as point of impact variations with projectile weight goes, it depends on the range being shot, whether it's a rifle or a handgun being shot, the individual barrel's characteristics and reaction to different bullets, the difference in weight of the bullets as well as the difference in velocities of the different bullets.

Thank you very much for the information.

I do have the 9th edition of the Hornady reloading manual coming with my order.

I know I still have a lot to learn. I have only been a gun owner for just over a year now and am just now getting to loading my own ammo.

As far as what I will be using, these rounds will be for an XD9SC, XD40SC, and XD45 service.

I will be using them for nothing more than clanging steel and punching paper, for now. I currently shoot paper from 10 - 25 yards and will be putting the steel out at 20 - 25 yards.

[kentactic]

Man, there is a whole lot of stupid in some of the posts above! You people don't even know what type of firearm the OP is talking about.

OP,

In the front of every reloading manual there is a large section on internal and external ballistics and terminal performance. Try the Hornady reloading manual it has excellent information in it.

Read this before you touch any of your reloading equipment. After you get done reading it, read it again.

Are you reloading for a rifle or pistol?
What is the intended use for the gun?
What distances will you be shooting at?


Recoil is generated by the mass of projectile exiting the bore and it's velocity, the mass of the projectile includes the weight of the bullet and the amount of the burning gases and unburnt powder exiting the bore.

Felt recoil is the combination of the above recoil plus how the weight of the gun being shot, how the gun fits you and your shooting technique.



As far as point of impact variations with projectile weight goes, it depends on the range being shot, whether it's a rifle or a handgun being shot, the individual barrel's characteristics and reaction to different bullets, the difference in weight of the bullets as well as the difference in velocities of the different bullets.

Who reloads for pistols.....

[bsumoba]

Who reloads for pistols.....

I do....and at around $0.19/rd, with quality components and range brass, ill keep reloading for my 9 and 38/357mag.

[kentactic]

I do....and at around $0.19/rd, with quality components and range brass, ill keep reloading for my 9 and 38/357mag.

Totally not worth it in 9mm and I can never find the mag release on revolvers.

[Chief-7700]

8 Cents per round of .45ACP 200 grain LSWC.
Chief

[meaty-btz]

My 9mm PC Lead loads are 7-9c a round.

There is so much to ballistics it is it's own branch with experts and scientists and engineers working it exclusively.

Besides the weight and powder charge and velocity variations you also (in rifles mostly) get differing spin stabilization where some rifles cannot stabilize certain projectiles well or some that over-spin them at certain velocities causing instability and bullet failure.

In pistols if you can load it safely and shoot it safely then it will usually stabilize (though there is some variation here where there have been keyhole fests for some guns).

Rifles are different and you must pay attention to your twist rate and select based on the best range for that barrel.

[CaliforniaLiberal]

I am new to reloading and just bought my first press (Lee Anniversary Single Stage on sale from Midway) and am looking at projectiles and I am seeing many different weights.

But how does the gun react to the different weights?

I understand that a heavier projectile will have more momentum behind it (it won't be slowed down as fast as a lighter projectile).

But does a heavier projectile cause more or less recoil and/or wear?

I would think a heavier projectile would have a slightly lower POI compared to a lighter bullet, is that correct?

What scenarios exist where a heavier projectile would be better, and what scenarios would you prefer a lighter projectile?

Thanks to all who offer help to a first time reloader.

You are asking questions that are answered by the study of Internal Ballistics.

As has been noted here your reloading manual will have a short discussion in it's opening pages, don't skip all that stuff at the beginning, it's an important part of reloading, keeping you, those standing near you and your guns unharmed and alive.

Wikipedia has a more detailed explanation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_ballistics

An answer to the question about heavier projectiles and recoil, recoil is complicated and subjective. There are many factors, including the weight of the bullet, the load of powder and how fast it burns, the weight of the gun and length of the barrel and the experience of the shooter. Different shooters will describe different degrees of recoil from the same gun shooting the same ammunition. Skilled shooters can generally handle more recoil without distress than beginners. Generally.

To be very simple, the force of the recoil will equal the force of the bullet flying downrange.

Whether that recoil force is experienced over a tenth of a second or half a second makes a huge difference in felt recoil.


Here's a page with formulas for energy and recoil. And every sort of information a reloader needs to know.

http://stevespages.com/table3.html

Notice that the velocity of the bullet has more effect on force than the weight.

It's the velocity *squared* x weight. So depending on the numbers, a lower weight bullet moving at a faster speed can often carry more force than a slower heavier bullet. Mostly.


So, your questions need long explanations to answer properly. You'll learn more as you go along. Keep asking questions.